Ironing press apparatus for clothes, textile fabrics, or the like



Oct. 27, 1953 P, J. DRAIN 2,656,626

IRONING PRESS APPARATUS FOR CLOTHES, TEXTILE FABRICS OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 4 1951 Oct. 27, 1953 P J DRAIN 2,656,626

IRONING PRESS APPARATUS FOR CLOTHES, TEXTILE FABRICS OR THE LIKE Filed 001.. 4, 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 $04M "'1 M M rr i Oct. 27, 1953 -P. J. DRAIN IRONING PRESS APPA RATUS FOR CLOTHES, TEXTILE FABRICS OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 4, 1951 Oct. 27, 1953 P. J. DRAIN 2,656,626

IRONING PRESS APPARATUS FOR CLOTHES, TEXTILE FABRICS OR THE LIKE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 4, 1951 Octf 27, 1953 P. J. DRAIN 2,656,626

IRONING PRESS APPARATUS FOR CLOTHES, TEXTILE FABRICS OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 4 1951 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 8 ea flan/ J4 MM Arry Patented Oct. 27, 1953 IRONINGJPBESS APPARATUS FOR CLOTHES, TEXTILE FABRICS, OR THE LIKE Percy James Drain, Roseville, near Sydney, New

"South Wfles, Australia, Eldridge :Tidbury, Alex andria,

ass'lgnor to "George near Sydney.

New S outh Wales, Australia Application October 4, 1951, 'Serlal,No.249;722 In Australia October "25, "1950 2.7 .Olalms.

This invention relates to an improved ironing press apparatus for clothes, textile fabrics or the like.

One form of i-roning press of the present in- "vention comprises a supporting flame, an ironing board mounted on the supporting frame, an iron carrying manuallycperable actuating-arm pivoted to the iframe, an iron pivoted to the actuating arm, the iron being sobiased that its front edge engages the ironing board first and dlsengages the ironing board last, and spring actuated toggle means for supporting the iron carrying arm in a raised position, manually operable means being connected to the toggle means for changing the spring action thereof to force :the iron into spring pressed engagement-with thewor-k upon the ironing board.

In another form of the invention, the ironing board is mounted-at angle on springs, so that the board slopes downwardly toward the operator. When the iron is brought down upon the work, it slides forwardly toward the operator, thereby providing an additional smoothing action forpressing the work.

Other features of the invention are hereinafter referred to.

In order that the invention may be better understood and carried into effect, certain illustrative embodiments of the invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. '1 is a perspective view of one construction of the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the apparatus with the actuating arm in its raised position;

Fig. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus with the actuating arm lowered for pressing the work;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation on plane 4-4, Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a similar view on line '5-5 Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevation on plane 66, Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a similar view on line '|1, Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the ironing element with the top cover plate removed therefrom;

Fig. -9 is a cross-section on line 9-'9, Fig. '8;

Fig. 1.0 is an enlarged plan view of the manually operable actuating arm;

Fig. 11 is a cross-section on line al l-H, Fig.

12 "is an enlarged elevation of :a coil spring and its anchorage mountings when in a neutral position located between its extreme operative positions;

Figs. 13 and 1,4 are similar views of a coil spring in both its extreme operating positions;

Fig. 15 is an elevation view of a modified con struction of the apparatus; 1

Fig. 16 is an enlarged sectional detail view of the uppermost anchorage mounting of the coil spring;

Fig. 17 is a sectional elevation on line *PL- l-I, Fig. 16;

Figs. 18, 19 and '20 are sectional elevations of different forms of anchorage mountings for noel-l spring; and

Fig. 21 is a sectional elevation on line 24-2l, Fig. 1 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 14 and 16 and 17, the apparatus shown therein has 'a pair of spaced apart side frames I, each consisting of a horizontal member 2 each of which has a pair-o! rest 3 with resilient pads 4, also a pair of transversely disposed horizontal lugs 5 which are jointed to gether with dowel pins 6. Each of the members 2 has at one end a vertically disposed L-shaped column bracket I both of which have a pair of spaced lugs 8.

There is mounted on the top of the brackets 1 an elongated ironing boa-rd 8 which is secured thereto by spaced screws 11), whereby the side frames 1 are held firmly together on the front end of the apparatus. At the rear end of 'each of the members 2 is a vertically dis-posed triangular shaped column H. The rear ends of the side frames 1 are held firmly together by a through bolt l2 which passes through openings t3 inthef side frames l and through an eccentrically disposed hole I4 in a horizontally disposed barrel 1! the latter having at each end thereof an annular flange 16 against which the side frames 1 abut. ing into an opening 19 in one of the side frames 1 (Figs. 4 and 12), whereby a rotatable setting of the barrel 15 can be limited and for the Fur-- pose hereinafter referred to.

Pivotally mounted above and between the 'side' frames l is an oblate-ring-shaped actuating arm 21 which has at one end thereof a pair of spaced apart depending arms 22. Disposed near the upper end of each arm 22 is a bearing" to accommodate a fixed pin 24 which is rigidly afilxed in the apex of the triangular column H5 Both the pins 24 are in axial alignment. Lo-

cated beneath the rear end of the arm 2i rearwardly of the pivotal mounting thereof is a transversely disposed bridge plate 25 which is rigidly secured to the arm 2| in an oblique angular position. Plate 25 has a through opening 2i to accommodate a ferrule .27 through which passes an electric current cable 128. The angular set of 1 One of "the flanges I 6 has a pintle 4-8 talcthe plate 25 is such to minimise the bending action of the cable 28 before entering the ferrule 21. Cable 28 thence passes upwardly into a horizontally disposed trough 29 formed integrally with the arm 2 I, from thence the cable 28 passing to an electric heating element disposed within the heating iron 38.

On the top of the arm 2| is a cover plate 32 secured thereto by spaced set screws 33. Near the front end of the arm 2| are a pair of depending bifurcated lugs 34 each having a slotted groove 35. Upstanding arms 36 take into the grooves 35 and lugs 34. The arms 36 are formed integrally with a H-shaped bracket 3! which is rigidly mounted on the iron 38 and pivotally connected to the lugs 34 by pins 38. Bracket 31 is rigidly secured to the iron 30 by spaced screws 39 with an interposed asbestos washer 49 (Fig. 6).

When the iron is in operation, there will naturally be a layer of air in contact with the under surface of the iron 30, and this air will be at about the same temperature as the heated face of the iron itself. If the iron is brought down parallel to the surface of the ironing board, the high temperature air is suddenly expelled around the periphery of the iron in the form of a blast or puff. Because of the high temperature of the air and nature of the blast or puff, the forward portion of which is directed toward the operator, its effect is both annoying and undesirable.

In order to divert this blast or puff of hot air away from the operator, in accordance with the invention, the iron is so tilted with respect to the ironing board that its forward edge engages the ironing board first and disengages the ironing board last, as the iron is moved into and out of engagement with the work 94. This is accomplished by positioning the iron supporting pivot pins 38 rearwardly of the center of gravity of the iron 38, (Fig. 6) so that the forward edge of the iron will be lower than the rear edge by reason of the resulting tilting of the iron. Obviously, this tilting action may be obtained by other biasing means than the weight of the iron itself.

In opening the iron, the inertia of the iron, since its center of gravity is located forwardly of its pivot suspension, aids the weight of the iron in holding the front edge of the iron against the ironing board. In this manner, the rear edge of the iron opens first, thereby providing a path for the escape of steam and hot gases, which path is directed entirely away from the operator.

Iron 38 is shaped to correspond with that of the ironing board 9 and it has an upstanding surrounding wall 45 upon which is secured a cover plate 46 by spaced screws 41. The iron 38 has partition webs 48 forming compartments to receive therein electrical heating elements 58 to which the cable 28 is electrically connected, also a thermostat (Fig. 8). On the cover plate 46 is mounted thermostat dial 52 having a manually controlled knob 53 (Figs. 1 and 7). When the iron 38 is lifted clear of the ironing board 9 its tilting limit is controlled by the iron 38 engaging with the protuberances 55 associated with the actuating arm 2|.

Upon the top of the ironing board 9 is a suitable padding 5! securely held in position by a fabric cover 58 secured to the ironing board 9 by a cord 59 and upon which is placed the article or material 94 to be ironed.

Near the bottom end of each depending arm 22 is a fixed trunnion pin 68 each having pivotally mounted thereon one'limb '62 of an L-shaped lever 63. Both limbs 62 are jointed together by a transverse bar 64 located near the heels 65 of the lever 63. The toe ends 66 of the other limbs 61 of the L-shaped levers 63 support a bridge pin 68 on which is pivotally mounted a connector 69 to which is connected one end of a pull-rod 18 (Figs. 4, 5 and 10). The rod 10 lies centrally within the arm 2| and its other end projects through a vibration absorbing ferrule 1| secured in a through opening 12 (Fig. 6) in the front end of the arm 2| (Fig. 6). Rod 10 carries an adjustable stop 13 (Fig. '10) having a vibration absorbing pad 14 thereon. Stop 13 limits the outward withdrawal stroke of the rod 18. On the outer end of the rod 10 is a manually operable knob 15 with a vibration absorbing pad 16 thereon, so that on the rod 10 completing its inward stroke the pad 16 will abut the front end of the arm 2| and thus avoid any shock to the operators hand. In each heel 65 of the L-shaped lever 63 is a pivot pin I1, each supporting a radial link 18. Both links 18 together supports a shaft 19 and forms the upper anchorage for the force producing member say the coil spring 88.

Positioning of the shaft 19 can be radially adjusted by adjusting screws 8| taking against the links 18, the screws 8| being mounted in the bridge bar 64 (Figs. 4, 16 and 17) for the purpose hereinafter referred to. Shaft 19 has a ferrule 82 having an annular groove 83 in which takes the upper end hook 84 of the coil spring 80. The inner radius of the hook 84 is greater than that of the ferrule 82, so that the ferrule 82 will roll upon the hook 84. The lower end hook 85 of the coil spring 88 engages in the annular groove 86 of a ferrule 8'! on a shaft 88 carried in the radial arms 89 formed integrally with the barrel l5. The inner radius of the hook 85 is greater than that of the ferrule 8'! (Figs. 4, 5 and 12), so that the ferrule 81 will roll upon the hook 85.

Axial centre 89 of shaft 88 is set eccentrically to the axial centre 90 of the trunnion pins 60 in a vertical plane, so that the L-shaped lever 63 and the coil spring 88 are prevented from moving automatically when in a stationary position.

Affixed to one of the triangular shaped columns II is a resilient buffer 9| against which engages the L-shaped lever 63 when the latter is operated. Buffer 9| is shielded by a guard plate 92 transz versely disposed between the column H and seit will be seen how the coil spring is correctly positioned so as to produce a full effective result- By adjusting the position of the barrel l5 before it is locked in the side frames the axial centres of the shaft 19, shaft 88 and trunnion pin 68 are brought into alignment. By adjusting the position of the shaft 19 by the adjusting screws 8|.

the tension of the coil spring 80 can be increased or decreased as desired, and by adjusting the 5 rod 10 in connector 69 a position is found whereby the force producing member suitably balances the iron about the pivotal mounting on pins 24 throughout its range of opening up and closing down, and as the coil spring 88 and appurtenances are moving from extreme operated positions (Figs. 13 and 14) the coil spring 88 will vary the rate of opening the iron as desired owing to the oppositely disposed ferrules 82 and 81 rolling upon the respective hook ends 84 and therefor.

be effected, and that'when the'position of the force of the said member is altered relative to the pivotal connection of the said lever, said iron will thereby be caused to exert pressure on the article or material being ironed. The force of the spring force producing member is varied, so that the force of the said member is increased ordecreased as desired for pressing the iron downwardly on the article or material being ironed. Further, in connection with the ironing press apparatus according to the invention the iron in its closure on the clothes or material to be ironed provides a partly sliding motion and also that hot air or steam is not directed to the operator and that on the iron leaving the clothes or material after ironing operation thereof the hot air or steam is not directed to the operator. Again, in the ironing press apparatus according to the invention the lever with its associated iron is normally held in raised position and held therein by the force of the said member, and there is a slidable rod as sociated with the lever, the latter being manually operated for ironing press purposes by an operator pulling the lever downwardly until the iron makes contact with a part sliding motion With the clothes or material to be ironed and then by pulling the slidable rod outwardly, the force of the said member lifting or assisting in lifting the lever with its associated iron to raised position thereof when the ironing operation has been completed upon the operator pushing the slidable rod inwardly in relation to the lever.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

' 1. Ironing'press apparatus for clothes, textile fabrics or the like having a framing, an ironing board on the topof the forward portion of said framing, a manually operable actuating arm pivoted to said framing at the rear portion thereof and extending forwardly toward said ironing board, an iron carried on the under side of saidactuating arm at the forward portion thereof and movable into engagement with said ironing board, said iron and said ironing board being pivotally movable at least one with respect to the other, the axes of both of said pivots being parallel to each other and perpendicular to a forwardly and rearwardly extending vertical plane, and biasing means yieldingly acting to bring the forward edge of said iron into engagement with said ironing board before the rear edge of said iron comes into engagement there- 2. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1,'inwhich the framing has a pair of spaced apart side frames each consisting of a horizontal member each of which has a pair of feet with resilient pads also a pair of transversely disposed horizontal lugs which are jointed together with dowel pins and each said horizontal member has at one end a vertically disposed L- shaped column bracket both of which have a pair of spaced lugs.

3. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the framing comprises a pair of spaced apart side frames, each side frame having column brackets thereon at the upper portionthereof, and in which the ironing board is mounted on top of said column brackets and is secured thereto by spaced screws so that said spaced apart side frames of the framing are held firmly together on the front end of the apparatus.

4. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 8 1, in which the framing has a pair of horizontal members at the rear end of each of which is a vertically disposed triangular shaped column.

5. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which said framing comprises a pair of spaced apart side frames; a horizontal through bolt interconnecting said side frames and firmly holding them in said spaced relationship; a tension member having one end thereof connected to means carried by said actuating arm for movement therewith to counter-balance the weight of said actuating arm and said iron carried thereby, the other end of said tension member being connected to a barrel eccentrically and rotatably mounted on said through bolt, said barrel having a flange at each end abutting against said side frames, one of said flanges having a pintle extending into an opening in one of said side frames whereby a rotatable setting of said barrel can be limited. 7

6. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said framing comprises a pair of triangular columns, and in which the actuating arm is of oblate-ring-shape at one end of which are a pair of spaced apart depending arms, a bearing is disposed near the upper end of each said depending arms for a fixed pin, each pin being rigidly aflixed in the apex of one of said triangular columns both said pins being in axial alignment.

7. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which said iron is electrically heated, and in which the actuating arm has located beneath its rear end and rearwardly of the pivotal mounting thereof a transversely disposed bridge plate which is rigidly secured to said arm in an oblique angular position, a ferrule being carried'in an opening in said plate adapted for passage therethrough of an electric current cable for supplying electric current for heating said iron and the angular set of the said plate being such as to minimise bending action of the said cable'before entering the said ferrule, the said, cable passing upwardly from the said ferrule into a horizontally disposed trough formed integrally in the said arm from which trough the cable passes to electric heating means disposed within the iron; I 8. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the actuating arm has on its top a cover plate secured thereto by set screws, near the front end of the actuating arm are a pair of depending bifurcated lugs each having a slotted groove, upstanding arms which extend into the grooves and lugs, said upstanding arms being formed integrally with an H-shaped bracket which is rigidly mounted on the iron and pivotally connected to the lugs by pins, the said bracket being rigidly secured to the iron by spaced screws with an interposed asbestos washer.

9. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the iron is pivoted to the actuating arm and the center of gravity of the iron is offset forwardly of the centre of its pivotal connection to said arm thereby biasing the iron, so that its' front edge will make contact with an article or material on the ironing board before the iron rests entirely upon the whole surface of the said article or material on the ironing board.

10. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the iron is electrically heated and is shaped to correspond withthe shape of the ironing board and the iron has an upstanding surrounding wall upon which is secured a cover plate by spaced screws and the iron has partition webs forming compartments to receive therein the elect ical hea ng: mea s. and athemro tat. he said cover plate havin mou ted thereon a her icstat dial which has a: manna-Hr contro led knob; the r nwh n it is lifted; cl a oi the: ir nboard n a in with protuberenees assoc ated with, the actuatin arm.-

1- mningpress apparatus accordin taclai n which on; that-op or. the ironing: board ise: paddin securely held position by a tabtie cover secured: to; the: ironing" board: by a cord and pon: which is placed the:- article: or: material to be: ironed. I 12. Ironing press apparatuaaccording totcl'aim Lin which: the actuating: arnrhas at. itsirear end a pair of spaced. apart depending: arms: and near the bottom end of. each depending arm-its a fixed trunnion. pin. each; having pivotally mounted thereon. one limb; of." an. L-shapedalerer; both: said. limbs being jointed together by a. transverse: ban located: nearthe: heels. of: the. said. lever, the; the ends: of the. other limbs of the said levers SHIT-1 porting. a. bridge pin. on: which is; pivqtallymounted a connector to; which: is, connected; one. end; of a pull-rod which liescentrally" within. the actuating arm, the other end of'theipulls-rod pros.- J'ecting through a, vibration absorbing. ferrule, secured-1 in athrough: opening in the front; end of: the actuating arm;

13. Ironing press=apparatus according to; claim. 1, in which the actuatingarm: has; centrally within: it a pull-rod which carries an adjustable stop having a vibration absorbing pad thereon thesaid: step limiting-- the outwardwithdrawal stroke of the rod, the latterhaving' omits outer end'a manually operabl'e knob with a vibration absorbing pad thereon, so that the rod complet-ing itsinward stroke the pad will abut the front end: of the-actuatingarm and thus avoid any-shock to=the-operator"s hand; a pivot" pin is: disposed in each-heelof an L-shaped lever which is pivotallymounted on trunnion pins on spaced apart depending arms at one end ot'the actuat ing arm, each of the said pivot pins supporting a radial link, both-of the said links together supporting a shaft which forms the upper anchorage for-acoll spring:

14. Ironing;press-apparatusiaccording to claim 1, in which a pivot pin is, disposed in eachheel, otan L ..-shaped lever. whichispiuotally mounted ontrunnionpins on spaced apartdependingarms atonee-endof the actuating arnitach oftlietsaid pivot pins supporting a radial link, both of the said links together supporting a shaft which forms the upper anchorage for a coil spring, the said shaft being radially adjusted by adjusting screws taking against the links, the said screws being mounted in a bridge bar, the said shaft having a ferrule which has an annular groove in which takes an upper end hook of the coil spring, the inner radius of the said hook being greater than that of the ferrule so that the said ferrule will roll upon the said hook and the lower end hook of the coil spring engages in an annular groove of another ferrule on a shaft carried by radial arms formed integrally with a horizontally disposed barrel associated with the rear ends of spaced apart side frames of the framing, the inner radius of the lower end hook of the coil spring being greater than that of its cooperative ferrule, so that the said ferrule will roll upon the latter hook.

15. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the axial centre of a shaft carried by radial arms formed integrally with a horizontally disposed barrel associated with the rear ends of liOi 101 spaced apart: side frames of; the framing; is set eccentrically to the axial centre'of: fixed trunnion: pins n ar the bottom. end of spaced apartdepende' -mlg armsat one of the actuating a-rm; so that an; e-shapedalever which is pivots-11v mounted on aid trunnion pins and a coil: spring; whose upper anohorageisia: shaft associatedlwith: said. lever bit pivot pins; and radial links: are prevented; from. moving automatically when in: a stationary positions 16. Ironing press apparatus accerding to claim: It. in which. the; framing: has, a. pair of horizontal members at the rear end; of eaclr of. which is: a. vertically disposed triangular shaped; column,

'- (mo or which has: afiixed thereto a: resilient buffer;

against which engages. an L,-shapeds lever pivotally mounted on trunnion. pins-v on spaced apart; depending-z arms at i one. end of: the actuating. arnr. when: the: said lever is. -operated, the said buflferr being: shielded. by a: guard. plate transversely dis, posed between the said triangular shaped cola umnst and. secured: thereto by screws, the said guard plate, also preventing, articles or materials. being ironed entering the mechanism of; the apparatus.

L79. Ironing pressiapparatus accordingsto claim: 1, in which a coil spring has for its upper-i am;- chorage; a shaft, supported by radial: links, the latter; being: carried on; a pivot pin. in: eachi heel; of: an: L.-shap,ed leven which; is pivotally mounted on'trunniontpinson.spacedaapartadependingrarmss at. one end: of. the. actuating arm,v the: said: spring. being; correctly positioned: so. 3810- produceea'. full: effectiveresult thereof by radially; adjusting: the

saldizshaft. by. screws. whichi bearragainst'the said;

links so: that. the force; of:v thesaid. spring, can; be increased or. decreased as; desired.

1:8. Ironing press. apparatus; according to claim: 1', in which; the framing. of the apparatus. has a pairrofv spaced. aparttside frames; a. horizontally: disposed barrel: associatedwith; saidaside frames;v asupported: shaft forming: the upper-anchorage of. a coil, springand a' lowers anchorage: shaft for: saidvspringq' carried; by radiali arms formed his tegrally with said: barrel, the said: barrel; being; adiustablabefore itz isilockediin the=sideftamese so that the centres:v of l the said supported: shaft the said shaft: carried by. the radial: arms; and fixed trunnion pins near-theebottomi endzota spaced; apart depending, armsat: one: end; of. the

actuating: rm can lbei brought into alignment; sol that when; the: said: coil.- surine; and: its:- aonur tenances are moving from extreme operated positions the said coil spring will vary the rate at which the iron is upraised and/0r lowered as desired owing to oppositely disposed ferrules one being carried on the said upper anchorage shaft and the other being carried on the lower anchorage shaft for said coil spring rolling upon the respective hook ends of the said coil spring connected to the said ferrules.

19. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which should the article or material to be ironed on the ironing board have any bulge or bulges a twist influence can be imparted to the actuating arm through the iron tending to take up an oblique position relative to the ironing board, and said twist influence of the said arm will re-act upon the iron thereby imparting extra pressure upon the bulge or bulges, so that the said bulge or bulges will be removed from the article or material.

20. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the actuating arm has a pull-rod, the said arm when it is pulled downwardly and 1 l the pull rod is pulled outwardly of the said arm an upper anchorage shaft for a coil spring supported by radial links associated with a pivot pin in each heel of an L-shaped lever will be drawn over from the position it occupied in a plane situated rearwardly of axially aligned fixed pins to take up a position on the opposite side of such pins, so that the force of the coil spring will be transferred to assist in pressing the iron downwardly upon the ironing board during ironing of the article or material.

21. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which by the front edge of the iron in the lifting off the iron by the actuating arm lifts slower from the article or material being ironed while the rear edge of the iron has lifted faster clear of the article or material an exit is formed for the escape of any gases such as steam emanating from the article or material, such gases passing from the apparatus reanwardly in a direction away from the operator.

22. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, in which the actuating arm with the iron thereon is lifted from the ironing board until an L-shaped lever takes against a resilient buffer and is held in such position by the tension of a coil spring.

23. Ironing press apparatus of the class described, comprising: a framing; an ironing board disposed on the forward portion of said framing and inclined at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane, said ironing board being pivotally mounted and rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a forwardly and rearwardly extending vertical plane; spring means urging said ironing board toward a predetermined normal position, which is forwardly and downwardly inclined; a forwardly extending manually operable actuating arm having one end portion thereof pivoted to the rear portion of said framing; an iron carried by said arm at the forward portion thereof and movable into engagement with said ironing board, said iron, upon initial engagement with said ironing board being inclined at a similar but greater angle with respect to a horizontal plane than said ironing board for causing the forward edge of said iron to engage said ironing board before the rear edge thereof comes into engagement therewith.

24. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 23, in which on the iron having contacted with the article or material on the ironing board it then slides forwardly towards the operator while settling down upon the entire surface and during compression and expansion of the article or material to be ironed, so that a smoother effect is given to the ironing action of the iron.

25, Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising arm counterbalancing tension spring means interconnecting means carried by said framing and means carried by said arm for movement therewith, said spring means comprising two coil spring sections interconnected by a threaded nut and bolt, said bolt having a through opening to receive a tommybar, so that on turning the said bolt, the tension of said coil spring sections is adjustable.

26. Ironing press apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising spring anchorage means carried by said framing, spring anchorage means carried by said arm for movement therewith, arm counterbalancing coil spring tension means interconnecting said anchorage means, an apertured shaft forming a part of said anchorage means, and a headed bolt in threaded engagement with said shaft aperture, said bolt head being engaged by one end of said spring, said bolt having a depending bolt by its head, the said bolt being screw-threaded into a shaft and the said bolt also having an opening to receive a tommy-bar, so that the bolt can be rotated to adjust the tension of the said coil spring.

27. Ironing press apparatus according to claim '1, further comprising spring anchorage means carried by said framing, spring anchorage means carried by said arm for movement therewith, arm counterbalancing coil spring tension means interconnecting said anchorage means, an apertured shaft forming a part of said anchorage means, a headed bolt passing freely through said shaft aperture, said bolt head being engaged by one end of said spring, and a nut in threaded engagement with the free end of said bolt, the tension of said spring being adjustable by turning the said nut.

PERCY JAMES DRAIN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,180,103 Engbrecht et al. Nov. 14, 1939 2,209,370 Woodin July 30, 1940 2,434,482 Beebe Jan. 13, 1948 

